Colorado’s sweeping 5th Congressional District, which runs from the mountains of Leadville to the prairies east of Fort Carson, has been a conservative stronghold since its inception in 1972.
Over the past 36 years, only four men have held the seat: Bill Armstrong, Ken Kramer, Joel Hefley and finally Doug Lamborn, who two years ago emerged from a bitter six- man primary with just 27 percent of the vote. He went on to defeat Democrat Jay Fawcett that November.
But the divisiveness of that primary lingers, enough so that business and civic leaders in the Colorado Springs area have urged two of his former opponents, Jeff Crank and former Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn, to run again.
It will be difficult for either one to unseat the congressman, but there’s clearly enough dissatisfaction with Lamborn within Republican Party and business ranks that both men have been able to finance expensive campaigns to try to do just that.
All three men are conservative, the proper ideological bent for the district. And all three would have similar voting records once in Congress.
But we think, overall, that Jeff Crank is best suited for the job.
Crank has the conservative sensibilities of the district, but he also seems willing to work with others in the Colorado delegation for the betterment of state interests.
While going to bat for your constituents is a good thing, as a single congressman you are only one vote unless you find a way to work with others. We think Crank is better suited to that task than Lamborn.
Crank doesn’t have legislative experience, but he did work in Washington for Hefley, an effective servant for his district and able defender of its military bases.
We think he has the potential to grow into a strong leader who won’t be easily marginalized and could eventually become a go-to guy in the delegation, benefitting his district and eventually the state.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Rayburn’s military resume, which includes applicable skills for serving in Congress. He’ll be a rising GOP star should he win the primary.
Overall, we think the 5th would be best served with a change of representation to someone who could be more responsive to the district and its interests. That person is Crank.
